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June 25, 2019 <br /> <br />NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED <br /> that the City of Portsmouth, Virginia, a <br />political subdivision currently participating in the Virginia Retirement System under Title <br />51.1, Chapter 1, Article 5 of the Code of Virginia, as amended, acting by and through its <br />City Council does hereby elect to have such employees of the City who are employed in <br />positions as full time salaried Emergency Medical Technicians and whose tenure is not <br />restricted as to temporary or provisional appointment, to become eligible, effective July <br />1, 2019, to be provided benefits in the Virginia Retirement System equivalent to those <br />provided for State police officers of the Department of State Police, as set out in Section <br />51.1-138 of the Code of Virginia, in lieu of the benefits that would otherwise be provided <br />as such code has been or may be amended from time to time, and the City agrees to pay <br />the employer cost for providing such employees such benefits; and <br /> <br />BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED <br /> that Dr. L. Pettis Patton, City Manager, and Debra <br />Y. White, Clerk, are hereby authorized and directed in the name of the City to execute <br />any required contract in order that the above described employees of the City may <br />become entitled to retirement benefits equivalent to those provided for State police <br />officers of the Department of State Police. In execution of any contract which may be <br />required the seal of the City shall be affixed and attested by the Clerk and, said officers <br />of the City are hereby authorized and directed to do any other thing, or things, incident <br />and necessary in the lawful conclusion of this matter. The Treasurer of the City be and <br />is hereby authorized and directed and pay over to the Treasurer of Virginia from time to <br /> <br />time such sums as are to be paid by the City and its employees for this purpose.” <br /> <br />Ayes: Battle, Clark, Glover, Lucas-Burke, Moody, Psimas, Rowe <br />Nays: None <br /> <br />19 - 237 - Adoption of a resolution increasing the Virginia Retirement System <br />Multiplier to 1.85% for full-time salaried Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters, <br />Emergency Medical Technicians, Sheriff’s Deputies, Jail Superintendents and Jail <br />Officers. <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br /> Under the Code of Virginia, Title 51.1. Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement, <br />Chapter 1 Virginia Retirement System, Article 5, a locality may elect to have those <br />employed in positions as full-time salaried law enforcement officers, firefighters, <br />emergency medical technicians, sheriff’s deputies, jail superintendents and jail officers, <br />and whose tenure is not restricted as to temporary or provisional appointment, be <br />provided benefits in the Virginia Retirement System equivalent to those provided for <br />officers of the Department of State Police, as set out in Section 51.1-138 of the Code of <br />Virginia (including the retirement multiplier of 1.85%). This is in lieu of benefits that would <br />otherwise be provided. <br /> <br />While sheriff’s deputies, jail superintendents and jail officers are not <br /> <br />employees of the City, under Virginia law the City is responsible for funding their <br />benefits. <br /> <br /> <br />Discussion: <br /> <br /> City Council indicated its desire to provide the 1.85% multiplier to those employed <br />in full-time salaried public safety positions. <br /> <br />Financial Impact: <br /> <br /> The City is responsible for the employer costs for providing the said benefit. <br /> <br />Recommended Action: <br /> <br /> Adoption of the resolution. <br /> <br />Next Steps Following Council Action: <br /> <br /> The City Manager will take the necessary steps to ensure the conclusion of this <br /> <br />matter. <br /> <br /> <br />1. Mark Geduldig-Yatrofsky, P. O. Box 50141,voiced his concern with the funding <br /> source and the lack of information on the cost. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />